Daily Archive : Sunday October 7, 2012

News

New locations spread out St. Charles Scarecrow Fest By Tara García Mathewson
Tens of thousands of people swarmed downtown St. Charles this weekend for the 27th annual Scarecrow Fest, which filled three different locations on both sides of the Fox River. Some complained about the extra locations along First Street and the Riverwalk but others enjoyed the new format.

Tough tax call for newly elected lawmakers
By Mike RiopellThe big decision is still likely years away, but the class of Illinois lawmakers elected in November will hold office when the state's 2011 income tax hike expires — perhaps leaving them with some tough choices toward the end of their terms in office.

Pressure growing on Biden, Ryan ahead of debate
By Felicia SonmezBoth sides are offering sky-high predications for the Oct. 11 vice presidential debate. Vice President Joe Biden must not only avoid making any gaffes but also try to puncture his Republican opponent’s arguments on taxes, entitlement reform and deficit reduction.

Obama, Romney trying to leverage momentum By Josh Lederman and Steve Peoples
Fresh off his strongest fundraising month this year, President Barack Obama is looking to raise millions of dollars from celebrities and wealthy donors in California with just one month left in a tightening race. His Republican rival, Mitt Romney, campaigning in up-for-grabs Florida, sought to build on the momentum from a debate performance last week that even Democrats conceded was...

China tech giants pose security threat?
By Matthew PenningtonAmerican companies should avoid doing business with China’s two leading technology firms because they pose a national security threat to the United States, the House Intelligence Committee is warning in a report to be issued today. The panel says U.S. regulators should block mergers and acquisitions in this country by Huawei Technologies Ltd. and ZTE Corp, among the world’s leading suppliers of...

Union: Border agents fired on each other
By Bob ChristieThe U.S. Border Patrol agent killed last week in a shooting in southern Arizona apparently opened fire on two fellow agents thinking they were armed smugglers and was killed when they returned fire, the head of the Border Patrol agents’ union said Sunday.

Wait begins after huge turnout in Venezuela vote
By Frank Bajak and Ian JamesA huge voter turnout swamped polling sites across Venezuela on Sunday as a united, well-organized opposition candidate gave President Hugo Chavez the race of his life. Tensions rose in the bitterly divided country while an undetermined number of voting stations remained open after the official 6 p.m. closing time, with not a single result announced nearly three hours later.

Ryan stumps in Rosemont
By Sara BurnettEven though he was speaking in President Barack Obama’s home state, Republican vice presidential hopeful Paul Ryan told supporters in a Rosemont that their backing is critical in the campaign’s final weeks. During his fundraiser Sunday at the Hyatt Regency O’Hare in Rosemont, Ryan accused the president of distorting Mitt Romney’s record and trying to “muddle and confuse” voters.

Feds looking at subway safety standards
By Lori ArataniFederal officials have begun drafting safety standards for the nation’s subway and light-rail systems, three years after a deadly crash on a line operated by the Washington Area Metropolitan Transit Authority exposed vast gaps in oversight of trains that transport millions of people a day. “It’s important that nationally we all play by the same rules,” said Richard Sarles, general manager of the...

SpaceX Dragon capsule launched to space station
By Marcia DunnA commercial cargo ship rocketed into orbit Sunday in pursuit of the International Space Station, the first of a dozen supply runs under a mega-contract with NASA.The Dragon capsule by the California-based SpaceX company, carried 1,000 pounds of key science experiments and other precious gear. There was also a personal touch: chocolate-vanilla swirl ice cream tucked in a freezer for the three...

Schakowsky, Wolfe spar over health care
By Matt AradoThe candidates for the 9th Congressional District race talked about jobs, health care and even the future of Big Bird during a forum held Sunday at Oakton Community College in Des Plaines. Incumbent U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky, an Evanston Democrat, and her Republican challenger, Timothy Wolfe of Arlington Heights, shared their positions on many of the big topics that have been debated during this...

New Oakton Jewish studies program recalls Kindertransport
Submitted by Oakton Community CollegeThe Kindertransport saved nearly 10,000 predominantly Jewish children from the Nazi threat. Learn about the extraordinary rescue operation during "Imagined and Guilty Identities: Remembering the Kindertransport," featuring Phyllis Lassner, professor with The Crown Family Center for Jewish Studies Writing Program and Gender Studies at Northwestern University.

Dist. 79 to hold meeting on special education services
Daily Herald reportFremont School District 79 will host a meeting Tuesday, Oct. 9, to discuss plans for providing special education services to students with disabilities who live within the district but who attend private orparochial schools or are home-schooled.

Incarcerated man wants to change guilty plea
By Harry HitzemanA 51-year-old man who was sentenced to three years in prison for stabbing his co-worker in a Batavia parking lot has changed his mind about his guilty plea. Calvin M. Hayes, of Chicago, pleaded guilty in September to aggravated battery with a deadly weapon, but now wants a hearing to withdraw his plea and vacate his sentence.

K-9 Rescue holiday party in Libertyville
Daily Herald reportOur House of Hope K-9 Rescue will host its annual holiday shopping party from 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. r 4, at the Adler Park – Bob Davis Lodge (behind the pool), 1500 Milwaukee Ave., Libertyville. Doors open at noon to 1 p.m. for early-bird shoppers for a $5 donation, and from 1 to 4 p.m. for everyone. There is no charge. Handmade and one-of-a-kind items will be available by local artisans.

(No heading)Harvest Days at Garfield Farm Museum 11:30a-4p at the 374-acre living history farm and inn museum to celebrate the 35th anniversary of the museum’s founding, 5 miles west of Geneva, off Route 38 on Garfield Road, in Campton Hills. (630) 584-8485.

Afghan war enters 12th year
Nobody wants a repeat of the bloody ethnic fighting that followed the Soviet exit from Afghanistan in the 1990s. Yet as the Afghan war began its 12th year on Sunday, fears loom that the country will again fracture along ethnic lines once international combat forces leave by the end of 2014. “Unfortunately in Afghanistan, we do not have any political unity,” said Gen. Sayed Hussain Anwari, a...

Images: Chicago Marathon
Cool weather helped elite runners break records as they were joined by a record high 38,535 running in the 2012 Bank of America Chicago Marathon Sunday morning. Tsegaye Kebede, of Ethiopia, crossed the finish line at Grant Park in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 38 seconds. That shattered the previous record set last year by Kenya’s Moses Mosop of 2:05:37.

Libya parliament votes to remove PM
Associated PressLibya’s parliament on Sunday passed a no-confidence vote in the newly elected prime minister, removing him from his post, in the latest blow to stability in the war-ravaged country. Mustafa Abushagur was Libya’s first elected prime minister after last year’s overthrow of dictator Moammar Gadhafi that ended eight months of civil war.

Israeli jets fly mock raids over south Lebanon
Associated PressIsraeli warplanes swooped low over Lebanese villages Sunday in a menacing show of force apparently aimed at the Hezbollah guerrilla group after a mysterious raid by an unmanned aircraft that was shot out of Israeli skies over the weekend. Israel was still investigating Saturday’s incident, but Hezbollah quickly emerged as the leading suspect because it has an arsenal of sophisticated Iranian...

S. Korea to have longer-range missiles under US pact
South Korea will be able to possess longer-range missiles capable of hitting all of North Korea under a new agreement with the United States that is likely to draw an angry response from the North. Under a previous 2001 accord with Washington, South Korea had been barred from deploying ballistic missiles with a range of more than 186 miles and a payload of more than 1,100 pounds because of...

Brazilians voting in ‘Clean Record’ elections
Brazil’s nationwide municipal elections Sunday may be most notable for who won’t be taking office. The “Clean Record,” good-governance law bars people convicted of a wide range of crimes from serving in political office and this is the first full nationwide election held under the measure since it was upheld by the supreme court. “It’s a radical change of culture, vision and moral compass,” said...

Golden Diners program gets boost with Elgin partnership By Tara García Mathewson
When Salvation Army Major Ken Nicolai had to consider starting a waiting list for seniors interested in daily hot meals from the Golden Diners program, he decided a program overhaul was a better option. The Salvation Army Golden Diners Program now cooks its own meals out of a central kitchen at the Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, saving $200,000 per year, allowing it to serve more seniors in...

Chicago to funnel unused NATO funds to parks
Associated PressMillions of leftover dollars from the spring’s NATO summit in Chicago will go toward improving the city’s parks, constructing boathouses along the Chicago River and other recreational projects.

Car bomb explodes near police headquarters in Damascus
Associated PressA Syrian government official says a car bomb has exploded near police headquarters in central Damascus. It was not immediately clear whether there were any casualties or damage from the explosion. Syrian TV described the blast as a “terrorist” attack.

Turkey exchanges more fire with Syria
Associated PressTurkey’s military on Sunday fired artillery on targets inside Syria for a fifth consecutive day, immediately responding to a Syrian shell that landed on Turkish soil. The exchange kept tensions along the volatile border running high and stoked fears of a regional conflagration.

Iranian rulers eye currency mess from protected perch
Associated PressThe top end of Iran’s economy remains fully in the hands of the Revolutionary Guard and its networks, which span from oil to aerospace. And the lifeblood for the ruling clerics and the Guard still comes from Iran’s oil exports that — on paper at least — bring in tens of millions of dollars a day to buffer against the blows hitting the rest of the country: a tanking currency, skyrocketing prices...

Thomson eager to push forward after prison sale
Associated PressResidents of a small northwest Illinois village say they’re eager for economic opportunities after the sale of a prison to the federal government. The U.S. Bureau of Prisons will pay $165 million for the facility and convert it into a maximum security prison estimated to generate about $200 million annually in economic activity.

France boosts security at religious sites
Associated PressFrance is boosting security at Jewish and other religious sites after blanks were fired at a synagogue west of Paris amid renewed concerns about anti-Semitism around the country.

Philippines, Muslim rebels forge peace pact
Associated PressPhilippine President Benigno Aquino III announced Sunday that his government has reached a preliminary peace deal with the nation’s largest Muslim rebel group in a major breakthrough toward ending a decades-long insurgency.

Venezuela vote a critical test for divided nation
Associated PressPresident Hugo Chavez’s crusade to transform Venezuela into a socialist state, which has bitterly divided the nation, was put to the stiffest electoral test of his nearly 14 years in power on Sunday in a closely fought presidential election. If Chavez wins a new six-year term, he gets a free hand to push for an even bigger state role in the economy, further limit dissent and continue to befriend...

Russia celebrates Putin’s 60th birthday with fanfare
Associated PressKremlin officials like to insist Russian President Vladimir Putin does not care for big birthday bashes and that he will be spending his 60th on Sunday quietly celebrating with close friends and family in his home city, St. Petersburg. However, the president’s supporters don’t appear to have received the memo.

Arrested N.Y. moms stay with kids, don’t go to jail
Associated PressDrew House allows mothers to live with their children in a private New York apartment instead of prison while they serve out court mandates. It’s apparently the only program like it in the country — and has been lauded as a successful, more supportive and cheaper alternative to prison.

Ex-Naperville police commander resigns amid downstate investigation
Associated PressThe police chief in Edwardsville has resigned, and city officials said federal agents have subpoenaed department documents as part of their investigation. Police Chief James Bedell had been with the department since 2007, when he transferred from Naperville.

Family relieved at bomb plot arrest
Associated PressRelatives of an Elk Grove Village native who authorities say wanted to destroy several Oklahoma churches say they're relieved he was arrested.

Tuesday last day to register to vote
Associated PressTuesday is the last day to register in Illinois to vote in time for the November general election. Cook County Clerk David Orr says his office is "seeing a surge in registrations," and he hopes it will continue.

What Jerry Sandusky can expect in prison
Associated PressJerry Sandusky will walk into state prison with little more than a watch and wedding band. He'll be able to work a 30-hour week to make a few dollars. He'll be able to watch Penn State football, but not violent movies. If the former Penn State defensive coach is sentenced Tuesday to a long state prison term, he will find himself far removed from the comfortable suburban life he once led, placed...

Fans basking in Ryder Cup afterglowBy Elisabeth MistrettaIt's been a week now and still fans are comparing pictures, sharing stories, and showing off souvenirs from the 39th annual Ryder Cup that came to Medinah County Club.Few people can put their finger on the one thing that made the golf tournament so special, but many agree it was the experience of a lifetime.

Mother mourns ‘grim milestone’ in longest US war
Associated PressLisa Freeman was cradling her 6-day-old grandson in her left arm and watching the news on her iPad while her daughter and son-in-law caught some much-needed sleep. The retired teacher was taking notes with her free hand when she heard the news: The nation had suffered its 2,000th casualty in the Afghan war. As the announcer droned on, all Freeman could do was shake her head and stare at little...

SPIN METER: An improbable reach for the high road
Associated PressSuddenly it's all about honesty. Seriously? President Barack Obama, who's been peddling a nonexistent peace dividend for a year, and Mitt Romney, who's misrepresented "Obamacare" at every turn, are after each other for not being straight with the people. To the left and to the right, people who live in glass houses are throwing stones.

”Critical mass” key to affirmative action case
Associated PressAs the Supreme Court revisits the use of race in college admissions in October 2012, critics of affirmative action are hopeful the justices are poised to roll back the practice. A new report out Wednesday offers a big reason for their optimism: evidence the nine states where leading public universities don't use affirmative action have succeeded in bringing diversity to their campuses through...

This week’s contest entries have a high-flying theme
Each week’s DuPage County Neighbor section includes at least one entry in our Photo Finish contest. Our photo staff picks some of their favorite submissions to run each week and then one overall monthly winner. This week’s entries have a distinct birdie theme — both the kinds that fly and the kinds that golfers hope for.

Sports

Images: Bears vs. Jaguars
The Chicago Bears visited EverBank Field and the Jacksonville Jaguars in week five on Sunday. The Bears won the game 41-3 over the Jaguars.

Tillman’s thievery an art form
By Bob LeGereNeither of Charles Tillman’s touchdown returns after his interceptions the past two weeks have been especially difficult — at least for him. But he said Sunday’s 36-yard return that made him the highest scoring defensive player in Bears history was easier than six days earlier when he picked off Tony Romo and went 25 yards for a score.

Bears’ tenacious D does it again
By Bob LeGereMaybe this Bears offense needs the defense to get it rolling. For the second straight game an interception return for a touchdown by cornerback Charles Tillman jump-started a sluggish offense and provided the turning point in a 41-3 victory over Jacksonville that was close for a while but turned into a rout.

Bulls’ Robinson says he’s mellowing outBy Mike McGrawNew Bulls point guard Nate Robinson is small (5-feet-9), offensive-minded and carries a loud personality. So it’s easy to think that maybe he’s not a coach Tom Thibodeau's type of guy. Not true.

Jaguars fall right into a Bear trapBy Barry RoznerThe Bears had all the excuses in the world to lose a trap game Sunday, but they did enough to get by on offense and the defense showed up in the second half and won the game in a big way.

49ers set franchise yards record, beat Bills 45-3
Associated PressSAN FRANCISCO — Alex Smith threw for a season-high 303 yards and three touchdowns, Frank Gore ran for 106 yards and a score, and the San Francisco 49ers amassed a franchise-record 621 yards in blowing by the Buffalo Bills 45-3 on Sunday.Michael Crabtree and Vernon Davis each eclipsed 100 yards receiving to back Smith, who threw TD passes of 43, 28 and 10 yards and surpassed 300 yards passing for only the third time in his career.Rian Lindell kicked a 31-yard field goal in the first quarter before San Francisco scored the final 42 points to hand Buffalo (2-3) its second straight embarrassing loss.Ryan Fitzpatrick threw for 126 yards and an interception, and the Bills rushed for only 89 yards, most with the game well out of hand once again.

Patriots beat Broncos 31-21
Associated PressFOXBOROUGH, Mass. — Tom Brady won his latest showdown with Peyton Manning with the help of a career-high 151 yards rushing from Stevan Ridley and the New England Patriots beat the Denver Broncos 31-21 on Sunday.In the 13th meeting between the star quarterbacks, and first since Manning left the Indianapolis Colts, Brady directed four scoring marches of at least 80 yards and the Patriots rushed for 252 yards.Brady improved to 9-4 against Manning, He completed 23 of 31 passes for 223 yards and one touchdown and ran for another. Manning was 31 of 44 for 345 yards and three touchdowns but lost a fumble on a third-quarter sack. The fumble led to Ridley’s 8-yard run that put the Patriots (3-2) ahead 31-7 with about five minutes left in the third quarter.Manning then threw touchdown passes of 2 yards to Eric Decker and 5 yards to Brandon Stokley but Denver (2-3) lost a fumble with 3:42 remaining.

Vikings trounce Titans, improve to 4-1
Associated PressMINNEAPOLIS — Percy Harvin pounded his way through Tennessee’s defense for one touchdown rushing and another receiving in helping the Minnesota Vikings to a 30-7 victory over the Titans on Sunday.Harvin caught eight passes for 108 yards for the Vikings (4-1), who have given up a combined 33 points in winning three straight games. Christian Ponder threw his first two interceptions after 143 attempts without one, but he still finished 25 for 35 for 258 yards and two scores against the reeling Titans (1-4).Matt Hasselbeck, starting in place of the injured Jake Locker, went 26 for 43 for 200 yards, one touchdown and one interception. Most of those gains came near the end with the outcome no longer in doubt.

Bears win big in Jacksonville Associated PressCharles Tillman and Lance Briggs returned interceptions for touchdowns — their second in six days — and the Bears used stifling defense to overwhelm the Jacksonville Jaguars 41-3 Sunday. The Bears (4-1) scored 38 unanswered points, including 35 in the second half, to win their third consecutive game. The streak has everything to do with defense.

Seahawks top Panthers 16-12
Associated PressCHARLOTTE, N.C. — Russell Wilson threw a 13-yard touchdown pass to Golden Tate with 35 seconds left in the third quarter to help the Seattle Seahawks beat the Carolina Panthers 16-12 on Sunday.Wilson shook off two third quarter interceptions — including one that was returned for a touchdown — and outperformed Cam Newton on a struggle-filled day for the Carolina offense.Wilson threw for 221 yards, while Marshawn Lynch ran for 85 yards for the Seahawks (3-2). Newton threw for 141 yards on 12-for-29 passing, while the Panthers managed just 190 total yards. Their only touchdown came on Captain Munnerlyn’s 33-yard interception return early in the third quarter.Carolina started the season with plenty of optimism with the return of Newton to lead a high-scoring offense, but the Panthers (1-4) struggled against the tough Seahawks defense all afternoon.

Nationals win first playoff game in team history
Associated PressPinch hitter Tyler Moore blooped a two-out, two-run single in the eighth inning and the Washington Nationals won in their postseason debut, beating the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals in 3-2 Sunday in an NL playoff opener.

Top American finisher comes in 9th
By Brian PittsDathan Ritzenhein knows a good race when he see one. His performance at Sunday’s Bank of America Chicago Marathon certainly fits in that category. Ritzenhein was the top U.S. finisher with a ninth-place finish in 2:07:47, more than two minutes faster than his personal best set in the U.S. Olympic Trials Marathon on Jan. 14, 2012, when he finished fourth in 2:09:55.

Kebede wins Chicago Marathon in course record
Associated PressTsegaye Kebede of Ethiopia set a course record in winning the Chicago Marathon on Sunday morning. Kebede pulled away late and crossed the line in 2 hours, 4 minutes, 38 seconds. The women’s race was also a thriller, with Atsede Baysa of Ethiopia edging Kenya’s Rita Jeptoo by about a step.

Luck rallies Indianapolis past Green Bay 30-27
Associated PressAll Andrew Luck and Reggie Wayne wanted to do was honor coach Chuck Pagano the best way they knew how — by winning. The two biggest playmakers on Indy’s offense teamed up in the second half, wiping out an 18-point halftime deficit and hooking up on a 4-yard TD pass with 35 seconds left that gave the Colts a stunning 30-27 victory over Green Bay.

Golson grows up for Notre Dame
Associated Presshe poised play of Everett Golson has Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly pleased with the quarterback’s development heading toward a tough stretch of schedule. The sophomore quarterback was 17 of 22 for 186 yards and ran for another 51 in a 41-3 victory against Miami on Saturday.

Falcons go 5-0, knock RG3 out with concussion
Associated PressAfter the Atlanta Falcons knocked Robert Griffin III out of the game, Matt Ryan kept throwing and throwing and throwing until he finally scraped up enough points to give his team its first 5-0 start in franchise history.

Tigers take 2-0 lead in series with A’s
Associated PressDon Kelly scored the tying run on a wild pitch in the eighth inning, then hit a bases-loaded sacrifice fly in the bottom of the ninth that lifted the Detroit Tigers over the Oakland Athletics 5-4 Sunday for a 2-0 lead in their AL playoff series.

2 INTs help Dolphins beat Bengals 17-13
Associated PressReshad Jones picked off Andy Dalton’s overthrown pass at midfield with 1:22 left on Sunday, preserving a 17-13 victory over the Cincinnati Bengals that ended two weeks of miserable finishes for Miami.

Suisham drills winner as Steelers top Eagles 16-14
Associated PressShaun Suisham hit a 34-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Pittsburgh Steelers to a 16-14 victory over the Eagles on Sunday. The Eagles (3-2) took the lead on a 2-yard touchdown pass from Michael Vick to Brent Celek with 6:33 remaining, but the Steelers responded by driving 64 yards to set up the winning kick, including a pair of key third-down conversions by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger.

Giants rally to keep Browns winless, 41-27
Associated PressVictor Cruz danced behind the Cleveland Browns in the end zone, while Ahmad Bradshaw showed his best footwork all over the field. Cruz made a career-best three touchdown catches and Bradshaw surpassed his yardage on the ground for the season with a career-high 200 as the New York Giants kept Cleveland winless, 41-27 Sunday.

Tucker’s field goals lift Ravens over Chiefs, 9-6
Associated Presshe Baltimore Ravens had relied on their offense through the first four games of the season. This time, their fearsome defense decided to show up. Justin Tucker made all three of his field goal attempts, and the Ravens kept the Kansas City Chiefs out of the end zone late to preserve a 9-6 victory Sunday.

Grace wraps up 2-shot win at Dunhill Links
Associated PressBranden Grace won his fourth European Tour event of the season Sunday by shooting a 2-under 70 to protect his lead and win the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship by two shots.

Armstrong competes in triathlon in Maryland
Associated PressLance Armstrong competed in a triathlon Sunday after organizers dropped USA Triathlon sanctioning so he could take part in a race that raises money for cancer. Armstrong is banned from events that follow World Anti-Doping Agency rules after he chose not to fight USADA charges of doping.

Hawks-Canucks rivalry alive and well in AHL By Barry Rozner
The Chicago Wolves will open their season next weekend with games Saturday night and Sunday afternoon in Rosemont. And guess what? Both are against the Rockford IceHogs. Coincidence? Probably not. The geographical rival also features the Canucks against the Hawks.

No. 8 West Virginia edges No. 11 Texas, 48-45
Associated PressGeno Smith passed for four touchdowns, Andrew Buie ran for 207 yards and two touchdowns and No. 8 West Virginia came away with another wild victory, this time taking down the 11th-ranked Longhorns 48-45 on Saturday night.

Business

Economy recovery likely — benefiting election winner Associated PressEventually, the economic recovery will pick up steam — whether Barack Obama or Mitt Romney is in the White House. That’s what many economic outlooks project. And the president — and the party occupying the Oval Office — will reap some of the benefits. But first, Obama or Romney, together with Congress, will have to pull back from the widely deplored “fiscal cliff,” the politically created budget abyss facing the nation at year’s end.

Anti-austerity protests grip 56 Spanish cities
Associated PressTens of thousands of people marched in 56 Spanish cities Sunday to protest punishing austerity cuts they say will only increase unemployment and job insecurity in a country experiencing its second recession in three years and record high unemployment. Trade union leaders said the marches warned the government that tempers were rising and a general strike was brewing.

Social media among threats to greeting card makers
Say it's your birthday or you've just had a baby, maybe got engaged or bought your first house. If you're like many Americans, your friends are texting their congratulations, sending you an e-card or clicking "Like" on your Facebook wall. But how many will send a paper greeting card? Once a staple of birthdays and holidays, paper greeting cards are fewer and farther between — now seen as something special, instead of something that's required.

Remodeling resurgence boosts sales for contractors
Associated PressGlenn Bridges can tell that the market for home remodeling is picking up — when he’s hanging cabinets or laying a floor in a customer’s house, a next-door neighbor is bound to knock on the door and ask if he’s available for another project. They’ll look at his handiwork and then say, “we have something we’re interested in doing,” Bridges says. “It’s quite uplifting.” Many contractors are seeing business improve as home sales slowly recover and homeowners who had put off projects during the recession are feeling better about the economy.

Work advice: Detail-oriented, yes; obsessive, no
By Karla L. MillerKarla L. Miller writes an advice column on navigating the modern workplace. Each week she will answer one or two questions from readers. This week's question deals with how an employee should deal with a disrespectul email sent by a boss to a prospective client. The employee accidentally received the email and isn't sure if she should confront her boss.

Vanguard move highlights little-known index costs
Associated PressIndex mutual fund investors are a cost-conscious bunch. Rather than seek out managers with a good shot at beating the market, they parse tiny differences in fund expenses. Index funds are cheaper because no one is being paid to pick stocks. Every cent that doesn't end up in someone else's pocket counts, the thinking goes. If that's your mindset, you'll want to pay attention to an aspect of index fund expenses that's drawing greater scrutiny: fees that fund companies pay to license benchmark indexes.

Career Coach: You should veto talking politics at work
By Joyce E.A. RussellTalking politics can be awkward at times. It can be particularly tricky in the workplace, where such conversations can lead to conflicts among colleagues, getting them distracted from their duties and leading to major rifts among co-workers. This is even true for co-workers who are voting for the same candidates. They still might disagree about specific ballot issues.

5 tips for dealing with looming cap gains tax hike
Associated PressThe impending jump in capital gains taxes has prompted a flood of nervous calls to financial advisers in recent months. Less than three months remain until the maximum rate of 15 percent on long-term gains rises to 20 percent unless Congress extends the Bush-era tax cuts. The looming increase poses a tempting reason to sell now for anyone who's sitting on large unrealized gains in stocks, property or other assets. But pulling the trigger on a sale hastily could be a mistake.

Africa in the middle of a hotel building boom
Associated PressThe rooftop pool at Nairobi’s newest high-rise hotel juts out over the edge so swimmers can peer through the glass bottom eight stories down. A new champagne bar sits nearby. IPads with detailed wine descriptions serve as menus. This is the face of new, high-end hotels in Africa. Nairobi has seen the construction of several upscale properties in recent years, as developers eye an increase in business travel to a continent with rising business prospects.

Life & Entertainment

A new yard for Prospect family struck by fire By Deborah Donovan
The firepit is still Sharon Zeeck's favorite part of her new backyard, but her 4-year-old grandson, Vincent, might have thrown that over for the pond rippling with two small waterfalls. "He likes to throw rocks in the pond," said his grandmother. The Zeeck family of Prospect Heights won the backyard makeover through a Daily Herald contest.

Nurse Ratched actress can't stand 'Cuckoo's Nest' Associated PressLouise Fletcher says she can't bear to watch "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" because the Nurse Ratched character she won an Oscar for is so cruel. "I find it too painful," said Fletcher, 78. "It comes with age. I can't watch movies that are inhumane."

Good news even at age 42; husband disagrees By Carolyn HaxFound out few weeks ago that I am pregnant at 42! Have one kid, almost 8, who is a complete joy. Husband has made quite clear he does not want this baby because it was not planned and he doesn't want to work forever. I am feeling like it is a miracle after four years of fertility treatments and finally giving up two years ago.

Frida Kahlo, her real look, on display in Mexico
Associated PressThe women on the cocktail circuit of the late 1930s were all curve-hugging dresses and gelled curls. Not Mexican surrealist painter Frida Kahlo. She graced dinner parties and theaters from Paris to New York in ribbons, full skirts and loose peasant blouses embroidered with vividly colored flowers, and her uni-brow was a bold contrast to the pencil-line eyebrows of the time.

Fisherman dies, taking Scottish dialect with him
Associated PressIn a remote fishing town on the tip of Scotland’s Black Isle, the last native speaker of the Cromarty dialect has passed away, taking with him a little fragment of the English linguistic mosaic.

Sunday picks: Dionne Warwick in NapervilleBy Scott Morgan and Laura StewartCatch celebrated Grammy Award-winning star Dionne Warwick Sunday at North Central College's Pfeiffer Hall in Naperville. If you're in the mood for a fest, check out the Bonner Country Fair at Bonner Heritage Farm in Lindenhurst. And don't forget that today's the last day for the St. Charles Scarecrow Festival. For a laugh, the Metropolis Performing Arts Centre presents “Do Not Push,” a show that combines clowning and comedy.

How Jefferson brought creme brulee to America
Associated PressAnd we thought we owed Julia Child a word of thanks for bringing creme brulee and champagne to American palates. According to author Thomas J. Craughwell's new book, it was Thomas Jefferson in the 1780s who was responsible for such then-exotic delights.

Animals get wild at doggy Halloween parties
Associated PressAs Halloween has grown in popularity across the country, pets haven't been left out. In 2010, 9 percent of dog owners surveyed by the American Pet Products Association said they bought a Halloween costume for their dog. PetSmart Inc., one of the largest pet costume retailers, won't divulge how many they sold last year, but dog and cat apparel buyer Reyna Jew said they more than doubled their assortment this year. The most popular costumes are bees and pumpkins.

New book finds humor in worst mom moments
Associated PressThe latest in irreverent parenting books, "Sh*tty Mom" is part parody and part painful truth. It's written by four very busy, often tired working moms looking to offer some overdue LOLs as counterpoint to today's parenting-to-perfection mania.

You don’t want to stand out when traveling abroad By Gail Todd
With anti-Americanism flying higher than most aircraft and world economy at it’s lowest, international travelers dressing to the nines are asking to be the target of jokes or something more serious. There are ways to avoid not standing out in a crowd.

Who’s a busy boy? Actor-playwright Colman Domingo
Associated PressColman Domingo is finishing a new play that he also stars in. That might be enough work for some. But not Colman Domingo. He can be seen in Spike Lee's "Red Hook Summer," and next month he will be in Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner's "Lincoln" with Daniel Day-Lewis. There's also the comedy "HairBrained" with Brendan Fraser. And he just directed two one-man stage shows.

Lunch sacks with DIY character
Associated PressA desire to recycle, save money and add that personal, imaginative touch is what entices many crafty people to create what easily can be bought. This time of year, that includes crafting a lunch sack so the simple lunch sack is being reinvented with zippers, snaps or flaps.

On the road: A glimpse of old Chicago By Jacky Runice
Discover the sights, sounds, and scents of Chicago in the 1850s at Clarke House Museum. Converse with costumed interpreters at the city of Chicago's landmark house museum and try hands-on activities including candle dipping, butter making and constructing your own period political rosette. All things German takes over the Athenaeum a main attraction in Indianapolis during Germanfest on Saturday, Oct. 13.

Covering dirt floor will reduce mustiness
By Henri de MarneQ.We have an old home with a dirt basement and stone foundation. For energy efficiency, we had the foundation walls spray-foamed, including foaming over the little windows. Now, of course, there is no ventilation, so we have constant moisture and mugginess.

Halloween attractions more than a fright night By Beth J. Harpaz
Too old to trick-or-treat? Busy the night of Oct. 31? That’s OK, because Halloween has become a seasonal holiday, with attractions and activities for all ages from late September through early November. Many cities now have local haunted house attractions, community zombie walks and ghost tours. Amusement parks like Six Flags Great America, Disney and Universal revamp for the month of October with faux graveyards, haunted trails and actors dressed like freaks.

Work with a professional to create a custom shower
By Ed Del GrandeQ. I'm getting ready for a bathroom remodel that will include a custom shower stall with body sprays on the shower wall. Can you please give me some additional advice on installing a custom shower stall?

Hunting scenes are ideal for fall mantel makeovers
By Mary Carol GarrityMaybe I should have been born in England a few centuries ago because I just love, love, love British hunting imagery and always look for ways to weave it into my interior designs. A richly layered mantel can succeed in celebrating fall while also imparting the thrill of the hunt.

NYC to round out skyline with Ferris wheel Associated PressThe Big Apple is getting another "biggest": the world's tallest Ferris wheel, part of an ambitious plan to draw New Yorkers and tourists alike to the city's so-called "forgotten borough." The 625-foot-tall, $230 million New York Wheel is to grace a spot in Staten Island overlooking the 305-foot-tall Statue of Liberty and the downtown Manhattan skyline

A do-it-yourself energy audit
By James DulleyQ. I don't have a huge budget to work with, but I would like to make my house more energy efficient. Instead of spending some of it on a professional energy audit, how can I do an energy audit myself?

Autumn safety checks for your auto
By Doug McAllisterCar safety might feel like a no-brainer all year round, but as another class of student drivers gets behind the wheel, maybe we all could benefit from a quick refresher course. First and foremost, whether you're dropping your kindergartner off in the morning or begrudgingly handing the keys over to your high schooler, it's best to make sure your vehicle is in good working order and to remind yourself of safe driving habits.

Owner cannot turn off tenant’s utilities during eviction process
By Tom ResnickQ. We have a tenant in our house who has broken the lease by having a pet, not paying rent and not moving out despite an expired lease. Though she is not paying rent, we are paying her utility bills as per the lease. Can we shut off her utilities?

Modular construction expands houses in a day
By Deborah K. DietschNick and Catherine Swezey recently watched a crane lift the three sections of a new second story into place over their existing house. This type of construction, made off-site and transported to a property, is still a rare sight in most neighborhoods. Called modular, manufactured or systems-built, it accounts for only about 1 or 2 percent of the national residential and commercial construction markets.

Discuss

Romney’s trifecta
By George WillColumnist George Will: Before Denver, Obama's campaign was a protracted exercise in excuse abuse, and the promise that he will stay on the statist course he doggedly defends despite evidence of its futility. After Denver, Romney's campaign should advertise that promise.

‘Big business’ as troubling as big government
A Mundelein letter to the editor: Many people these days choose to see "big government" as the source of all ills while remaining comfortably blind to the damage caused by "big business" to the environment, to society and individuals.

‘Free cellphones’ notion misinformed
A Libertyville letter to the editor: James Wagner of Barrington's recent letter to the editor about President Obama giving free cellphones to the poor is simply factually incorrect.

Foreign policy failures adding up
An Arlington Heights letter to the editor: We were told that Obama's new smart diplomacy was going to cause the world to live in harmony after his inauguration. How is that all working out for us now?

‘Going forward’ should include God
A Schaumburg letter to the editor: A society that does not have a firm foundation in faith, that does not recognize a higher power guiding us, that gives way to the notion that we will be guided solely by the "wants" of the day and that one person knows more what's best for our future, will most certainly find itself on a ruinous path.

No logic to teacher evaluations
An Inverness letter to the editor: How can one be evaluated by someone who knows nothing of the subject? Why not be evaluated by a supervisor of that particular subject?

Press shows bias in Romney tax flap
A Wheaton letter to the editor: Several weeks ago, Sen. Harry Reid, majority leader, stood in the well of the Senate chamber and claimed that a secret source whose name he was not free to reveal had told him with certainty that Gov. Mitt Romney had paid no taxes for the past 10 years.

Federal government is hardly evil
A Wheaton letter to the editor: Before you cast your vote this fall, pause to think how many ways the federal government has provided services where the private sector has failed or cannot meet the demands of a modern society. Then vote for those electorates who will strengthen the central government, not destroy it.

Enough with lies about Obama’s background
A South Elgin letter to the editor:There is no longer any excuse for false accusations about President Obama's background and experience. People who are interested don't even have to read the two books he has written or the biography of his mother, "A Singular Woman." You can read articles about his mother, Ann Dunham, and his grandmother, Madelyn Payne Dunham, on Wikipedia.

Obama short on leadership, compromise
An Elgin letter to the editor: President Obama has sadly been a complete failure, so much so that he now says that compromise can't be reached inside Washington. President Clinton, the Democrat, got entitlement reform and balanced the budget with a Republican majority in both houses. It's called leadership and compromise.